Once upon a time you could stroll down the street, chat with the people you knew, stop in the corner store for a loaf of bread and take care of business at your friendly neighborhood bank.

It was a pleasant, leisurely way of living. But times have changed. Now people don't even know who lives next door to them, the roads are crowded with cars, the corner store is most likely a big supermarket and that friendly neighborhood bank has been turned into an impersonal international conglomerate.

There are exceptions, however. And luckily one of them is in our own area.

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. has some old fashioned ideas about success. Ever since their doors first opened in Alexandria 150 years ago, it has been providing personal service with a small town flavor.

Main Branch, 100 South Fairfax Street
Alexandria, Virginia

Those who have been a part of it are understandably proud. "Ours is the only surviving bank of those that served Alexandria residents in 1852, " says president and chief operating officer Charles K. Collum, Jr.

It has grown over the years, of course. What began as one bank has now turned into fifteen branches, including the newest one in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria. But each and every one of those branches still offers that personal quality that customers have relied on for the past century-and-a-half.

Back in the "olden days," you knew your banker and your banker knew you. There was a bond of familiarity and trust that is difficult (if not impossible) to achieve with today's huge mega-merger financial institutions.

That bond, however, is as strong as ever at Burke & Herbert. It's the bank that combines the best of both worlds-the old and the new. It gives you that neighborhood feeling of a traditional bank along with all the bells and whistles we expect in the new millennium.

This includes not only checking and savings accounts, loans, and trust services, but all the modern features you have come to expect: ATM's, drive-through service, vaults with safe deposit boxes, on-line banking and a handy internet web site at
www.burkeandherbert.com.

Burke & Herbert is still operated by the proud descendants of John W. Burke and Arthur Herbert. David M. Burke is the current CEO and chairman. E. Hunt Burke is the senior executive vice president and C.S. Taylor Burke III is the executive vice president.

Tradition continues with key executives.

Vickey Pasquariello is manager of the brand new Kingstowne branch at 6210 Interparcel Road. If she looks familiar to you, there is good reason. She grew up in the neighborhood - even attended Hayfield High School. She has been with the company for more than a quarter-of-a-century. But she's been connected to it since she was a baby.

"I grew up with Burke & Herbert," she says. "My mother worked there for 44 years." Several of her sisters are also former employees. "It's just as nice a place to work as it is to be a customer," she adds.

Pasquariello echoes the importance of tradition that the bank offers. "You just can't get that kind of service anymore." Adding, "It's the main reason why we've been able to grow so well as a company."

The new Kingstowne branch is located at 6210 Interparcel Road, across the street from Festival at Manchester Lakes Shopping Center.

The assistant manager of the Kingstowne branch is Matthew Tikoyan, who has also been with the company for a number of years.

"We are justifiably proud of our staff," says Collum. "They are loyal, highly qualified professionals who really enjoy serving our customers."

The Kingstowne staff is here to serve you.

Burke & Herbert is steeped in history. John W. Burke and his wife Martha Jefferson were the ones responsible for protecting $200,000 from Union soldiers. The money was raised by the Mount Vernon Ladies Association to buy George Washington's home in 1858.

Today, the bank uses the same kind of dedication when it comes to protecting your money. It is still committed to helping businesses and individuals in the same way it was when Alexandria was first a shipping area, then later a manufacturing area.

It is ready to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.

The bank was built on a foundation of foresight and integrity, yet it's able to successfully move in a competitive industry.

It's an $814 million institution with its feet in history and its head in the future. And, of course, it is a member of FDIC and an Equal Housing lender.

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. has been singled out for recognition by several prestigious groups. It is first among Small Business Administration leaders as rated by the Washington Business Journal. In addition, the Washington Consumer Checkbook has rated it for its outstanding customer satisfaction.

Stop by today. There is on-site parking, friendly faces, helpful employees and a long historic tradition of service and professionalism.

This would be a perfect time to open an account or talk to a bank officer about a loan. Interest rates are still extremely attractive.

Burke & Herbert Bank & Trust Co. is conveniently located in the Kingstowne area of Alexandria at 6210 Interparcel Road. Call them directly at (703) 519-1637 or you can reach them at the main number (703) 549-6600. To find out all the products and services available at Burke & Herbert or find the most convenient branch for your needs, visit www.burkeandherbert.com.